Maybe There Was a Good Reason Why Dianne Feinstein Didn’t Make Her Kavanaugh Smear Public

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. questions former acting Attorney General Sally Yates and former National Intelligence Director James Clapper on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, May 8, 2017, during the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism hearing: “Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Election.” (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

There is a little more heat and a lot more light available today on the late hit by California Democrat and Chicom agent-of-influence Dianne Feinstein on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Just a recap: yesterday Feinstein announced she had some super-secret allegation about Kavanaugh that she couldn’t share with her Democrat colleagues but which she was happy to share with federal law enforcement. The FBI quickly punted that particular tar baby (is that term a dog whistle these days?). And it was revealed that the allegation involved Kavanaugh and a friend, both 17-years-old, locking an unnamed girl “in” a room (what kind of f***ed up house lets you lock people in rooms from the outside?) but she was able to turn the doorknob without male assistance and make her escape (see my post).

Now the bard of the #MeToo movement, Ronan Farrow, has added his insights:

The woman, who has asked not to be identified, first approached Democratic lawmakers in July, shortly after Trump nominated Kavanaugh. The allegation dates back to the early nineteen-eighties, when Kavanaugh was a high-school student at Georgetown Preparatory School, in Bethesda, Maryland, and the woman attended a nearby high school. In the letter, the woman alleged that, during an encounter at a party, Kavanaugh held her down, and that he attempted to force himself on her. She claimed in the letter that Kavanaugh and a classmate of his, both of whom had been drinking, turned up music that was playing in the room to conceal the sound of her protests, and that Kavanaugh covered her mouth with his hand. She was able to free herself. Although the alleged incident took place decades ago and the three individuals involved were minors, the woman said that the memory had been a source of ongoing distress for her, and that she had sought psychological treatment as a result.

In a statement, Kavanaugh said, “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.”

Quite a bit of discrepancy here between the two accounts. But the essentials remain the same. We have an anonymous allegation that is impossible to either prove or disprove. If Kavanaugh’s name was Roy Moore, he’d be toast, right?

According to reports, this letter has been with Feinstein since July. Given the dynamics of staff life on the Hill, it seems as though that Senator Grassley and Kavanaugh’s support team was well aware of the letter and its contents.

The first clue is that the Judiciary Committee had compiled document in which some 65 of Kavanaugh’s female classmates from high school testified to his high moral character.

65 women of bipartisan backgrounds who knew Judge Kavanaugh in high school: "For the entire time we have known Brett Kavanaugh, he has behaved honorably and treated women with respect" & has "stood out for his friendship, character, and integrity" #SCOTUShttps://t.co/9dT54BC2qMpic.twitter.com/5QtcPfwjX5

2/ If I went on *my own goddam facebook account* right now (which I admittedly barely use) I could not find, in 24 hours, sixty-five women from high school to testify to my character, I don't think I KNEW 65 women in high school well enough to be character witnesses.

4/ So why pick Kavanaugh, who has written extensively on the immunity of Presidents to legal consequences? Because of his giant legal mind? There are better conservative judges. Because of his easy confirmation? His paper trail's a nightmare.

6/6 Today only confirms – Kavanaugh was the hardest possible confirmation choice on that list. There can only be one reason you choose the guy who makes the process that much harder. One. So … sleep fucking tight, I guess, because the gutless GOP is going to confirm him anyway.

If this speculation is true, it would certainly explain why Feinstein handled the letter the way she did. If she released it in July, it would be quickly discredited. The only way it would have substantial impact would be if she produced her own “Anita Hill” during the last day of the hearing with the various panels were testifying about Kavanaugh’s character and how he would make all women in America sperm-spitoons. A surprise allegation of attempted rape would certainly cause turmoil and generate headlines, it would put off the vote on Kavanaugh until possibly the new year, it could put the votes of Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski up for grabs.

Perhaps this list was just a prophylactic measure given the #MeToo hysteria but there is at least a 50-50 chance that this was a signal by the committee majority that they knew of the allegation and were willing to burn to the ground the unnamed complainant with a wall of counter-narrative should any of Kavanaugh’s pubic hairs start appearing on random Coke cans. This leaves Feinstein holding a letter that she has to do something with and she makes the best play available. She goes full-Kamala-Harris and throws innuendo about like confetti knowing that a placid and compliant press with run with whatever she tells them.